Rotary perforator



March 12, 1963 A. D- MCGREGOR 3,081,030- ROTARY PERFORATOR Filed Dec. v13, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. 'AR'VIN .McGREGOR BY Wi 6M ATTOR EYS March 1963 A. D. MOGREGO'R 3;08I1s ROTARY PERFORATQR Filed 33 13, 1960 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V ENTOR.

selectively formed in a paper tape. or cards.

anism United States Patent Ofi ice 3,081,030 Patented Mar. 12, 1963 3,081,036 I ROTARY PERFQRATOR Arvin D. McGregor, Birmingham, Mich, assignor to Holley Carburetcr Company, Warren, Mich, a corporation of Michigan Filed Dec. 13, 1960, Ser. No. 75,563 9 Claims. (Cl. 234-50) This invention relates generally to perforating mechanisms and refers more specifically to a rotary perforating mechanism including means whereby the punches of the perforating mechanism may be more rapidly set so that the rotary speed of the perforating mechanism may be increased.

The input to and output from many complex mechanisms of today is a code system represented by holes A variety of machines have been designed to properly form these holes. Most of these machines have been of the intermittent variety which punch individual portions of a tape or card at intervals. Such machines perforate tape much slower than the output of mechanisms such as electronic computers.

Therefore, rotary perforators have been developed operable to continuously punch tape fed between a rotating punch carrier and cooperating die with the punches carried by the punch carrier being positioned in accordance with the perforations to be punched while the punch carrier and die are rotating. Previous rotary perforators have also not been able to punch tape at the speed desired in some installations due to the time required to set the punches thereof during rotation of the punch carrier.

It is therefore one of the purposes of the present invention to provide improved rotary perforating mechanism including means to reduce the time required to set the punche thereof during rotation of the punch carrier.

Another object is to provide rotary perforating mechanism including a punch setting assembly having a portion eccentric with respect tothe punch carrier whereby the time required to set the punches of the perforating mechanism sreduced to a m- 'Another object is to provide rotary perforating mechw including a punch carrier having punches psitioned angularly therearound in axially extending rows which punches are settable radially to selectively punch tape continuously passed between said punch carrier and a rotatable die having punch receiving holes therein which die is positioned in side by side relation with said punch carrier and a punch setting assembly mounted concentric with said punch carrier for radially'setting said punches, said punch setting assembly having a, portion eccentric with respect to said punch carrier whereby. the time required to set the punches carried by the punch carrier is reduced to a minimum,

Another object is to. provide a rotary perforator as set forth above wherein said punch setting assembly comprises a stationary member positioned within said punch carrier and having angularly positioned means. for magnetizing the punches carried by said punch. carrier in accordance with a desired radial position thereof, permanent magnet means for moving the punches to the desired position and guide means for maintaining the punches in the desired position thereof during the punching operation positioned in. order circumferentially around the punch setting assembly, the means for magnetizing the punches and part of thepermanent magnet means being positioned closer to the inner surface of the punch carrier than the guide means and the rest of the perma nent magnet means to facilitate the rapid. positioning of the punches.

Another object is to, provide a rotary perfor-ator where- 2 in increased rotational speed is possible which perforator is simple in construction, economical to produce and efiicient in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as the description proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, illustrating .a preferred embodiment of the invent o e e n:

FIGURE 1 is a schematic illustration in perspective of; a rotary perforator constructed in accordance with the invention, with certain elements thereof not shown.

FIGURE 2 is a cross-sectional View of the rotary perforator illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on line 2 Z of FIGURE 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side view of the rotary perforator illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken substantially on line 3-3 and looking in the direction of the arrows, the lower portion of the perforator being cut away and in cross-section.

FIGURE 4 is a schematic illustration of an arrangement whereby an electronic computer may be electrically connected to a rotary perforator embodying the invention.

With particular reference to the figures, one embodiment of the rotary perforator of the invention will now be described.

FIGURE 1 illustrates in perspective a rotary punch carrier 10 having a bearing shaft 12 which may either be integrally formed with the carrier 10 or attached thereto. A gear 14 may be secured to the punch carrier 10 so as to act as either a driving or a driven member.

A punch setting assembly 16 located within the generally cylindrical cavity 18 formed within the punch carrier 10 has a supporting member 20 which may be a part of or secured to the assembly 16.

A rotary coasting die 22 has secured thereto a support member 24 and a gear 26, secured to it. The workpiece or paper strip 28 is sandwiched between the cooperating punch carrier 10 and die 22 in such a manner so as to be progressively fed therebetween as the members 10 and 22 rotate.

FIGURE 2', a cross-sectional view, illustrates in greater detail the general arrangement of the elements comprising the invention. The punch carrier 10 has formed therein (see also FIGURE 3) a series of axially extending rows of guide holes 30, which may be displaced angularly equidistantly about the circumference. Individual punches 32, which may be in the shape of a stem 34 with a head 36 formed thereon, are slidably received in the guide holes 30. The entire punch carrier 10 rotates counterclockwise and in so doing, carries the individual punches 32 around with it.

The punch setting assembly 16, which does not rotate, is. mounted" coaxially with the punch carrier 10 and is comprised of a main body portion 38. having secured thereto a punch magnetizing magnet 40, a punch setting magnet 42 having a constant polarity and a punch guide 44. The radially outer surface of the portion of the punch setting assembly 16 between radially extending lines 45; and 47 and at the Upper right in FIGURE 2 is closer to oreccentric with respect to the punchcarrier 10 relatiye to the rest of the punch setting assembly as shown. Placing the punch magnetizing magnet 40 and a portion of the punch setting magnet '42 closer to the punch carrier 10 permits more rapid punch setting in accordance with, the invention. as will become more apparent in considering the operation of the invention.

which meshes with gear 14,.

is one magnet 40 positioned internally of carrier 19 and necessarily arranged so as to be in juxtaposition with the punches 32 during perforation.

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the carrier with portions thereof being cut away and in cross-section to better illustrate the relationship of some of the elements comprising the invention. The punch guide 44 is shown as being secured to the main body portion 38 and holding the individual punches 32 in different positions. That is, one of the guided punches 32 is in a retracted position, while the other three punches are in an extended position and capable of perforating any workpiece disposed between the punch carrier 10 and die 22.

The punch guide 44 is comprised of a body formed to provide a series of parallel, circular T slots 48 and is secured to the main body portion 33. The guide 44 may be placed within the body 38 in such a manner as to have surfaces 50 of the T slots on the same diameter as the adjacent portions of the punch setting magnet 12 and main body portion 38 of the punch setting mechanism. The T slots are of a Width greater than that of the punch heads 36 thereby enabling the punches 32 to slide freely therethrough. The outer surfaces 52 of the guide 44 are used as the pressure surfaces for punches positioned to punch workpiece 28 on rotation of the punch carrier past the die 22; that is, the punch head 36 will abut against the surfaces 52 so as to be able to perforate the workpiece 28.

The surfaces 52 are circular and of equal radius however. While the surfaces 52 may be cylindrical, they are illustrated as being curved in two directions. It will be noted, therefore, that each segment of width X is a segment of a sphere. This is done intentionally by making the radius R (FIGURE 2) equal to the radius R (FIG- URE 3). It is then possible to have the heads 36 of the punches 32 formed concave with the same radius, thereby permitting total surface contact between heads 36 and surfaces 52.

The position of the punch magnetizing magnets 40 is illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 4. As can be seen, there the punch carrier 10 and one externally thereof for each row of punch guide holes 30. The field windings 56 could of course be disposed either internally or externally of the punch carrier 10.

In considering the operation of the rotary perforator described, let it be first assumed that magnet 42 is the north pole of a permanent magnet, and that the punch carrier 10 is rotating counterclockwise. Each punch 32 will pass between the poles of the magnetizing magnet 40 and, at that precise instant, the windings 56 will be energized by any suitable means in a manner so as to produce a desired magnetic field. As the punch 32 passes through this field, it will be magnetized so that the head 36 becomes, for example, a south pole. It will be particularly noted at this time that the head 36 of the punch 32 is held against the interior surface 58 of the punch carrier 10 as it passes magnet 40 having been cammed into such position if necessary by the cam surface 41 of the main body 38 of the punch setting assembly 16.

As the carrier 10 continues to rotate, punch 32 is carried to an area in which it is influenced by the magnetic properties of magnet 42. Since, in this example, the head of punch 32 is of a south polarity and the magnet 42 is of a north polarity, the punch 32 will be attracted by the magnet 42. Since the portion of the magnet 42 first passed by punch 32 is positioned close to the inner surface 58 of the punch carrier 10 the force required to originally attract the punch 32 to magnet 42 is much less than with previous magnets which were spaced concentric to and radially inwardly from the punch carrier. Once the punch contacts magnet 42, it will continue to ride on the outer surface of the magnet, it being remembered that the punch setting assembly 16 is stationary and never rotates.

As the carrier continues to move, the punch 32 will be pushed into the T slot 48 of punch guide 44 aligned therewith thereby being kept out of perforating position. It should be understood that the above explanation of operation applies to each individual punch 32 regardless of its particular position in the carrier '10.

The carrier 10 will continue to rotate, and assuming that the field current through the appropriate winding 56 has been changed, punch 32 will have its polarity reversed and made north by the magnets 40. Thus, when punch 32 again comes into the area of magnet 42, it will be repelled by magnet 42. As the punch 32 is already positioned against the inner surface '18 of the carrier 10 due to the cam surface 41 of the main body 38 of the punch setting assembly 16, no time is lost in forcing the punch against the inner surface 58 of carrier 10. As punch 32 is further moved by the carrier, it will be guided between the inner surface 58 of the punch carrier 10 and surfaces 52 of guide member 44. In this position the punch is capable of perforating the workpiece when it reaches the work station.

Thus it will be seen that due to placing a portion of the punch setting assembly 16 closer to the punch carrier than previously that less time is required in positioning the punches both radially inwardly and radially outwardly of the punch carrier 10 on rotation of the punch carrier 10. The camming of the punches 32 outwardly against surface 58 of punch carrier 10 by the cam surface 91 of assembly 16 prepositions the punches in a punching position so no time is lost moving them radially outwardly by magnetic force. The positioning of that part of magnet 42 which first passes over by the punches 32 closer to the punch carrier places the punches substantially in contact with the magnet 42 as they first come into the area of magnet 42 to facilitate subsequent movement of the punches 32 radially inwardly is required. The speed of rotation of the punch carrier 10 may be therefore materially increased and the punches set in the time provided therefor.

The principle of operation of the rotary perforator itself has been described. However, further explanation of the actuating mechanism and its associated controls is necessary in order to fully appreciate the operation of the invention.

It is evident from the foregoing description that synchronization of the elements comprising the perforator is required. FIGURE 4 illustrates one system by which this can be accomplished. In the embodiment illustrated, a series of fixed sprocket pins 60 are arranged circumferentially about the punch carrier 10, this is, of course, in addition to the guide holes 30 which are provided for the punches 32. A permanent magnet 62 having a coil winding 64 about it is placed so that the pins 60 pass between the north and south poles 66 of the magnet 62. The ends 68 of coil 64 are connected to any suitable control mechanism such as an electronic computer for example.

As previously mentioned, electronic computers may receive their data in coded form. They may also supply their answers in the same code. FIGURE 4 illustrates schematically the general arrangement of the invention with respect to an electronic computer 72 and a buffer storage or shift register unit 74. The bulfer storage and shift register units are well known to those skilled in the art and accordingly do not need to be explained in detail. For purposes of further illustration, it can be assumed that the computer 72 has started giving a coded answer and that the present invention is being used as a perforating device for recording the answer on paper tape, which tape can later be used to supply information to the computer.

During operation, the computer 72 feeds information to the storage unit 74, which in turn properly determines the required polarities of magnets 40. As punch carrier 10 rotates, pins 60 will pass between ends 66 of permanent magnet 62 and increase the flux density thereby causing a current flow in circuit 68 which is used as a signal by storage unit 74. When this signal is received by the storage unit, it then determines the polarity of magnets 40 in accordance with the information which computer 72 has furnished. Of course, a storage unit as illustrated at 74 is not entirely necessary. That is, the rotation of the punch carrier can be timed by the computer 72 and the lines 68 and 70 connected directly to the output of the computer.

The drawings and the foregoing specification constitute a description of the rotary perforator of the invention in such full, clear and exact terms as to enable'any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, the scope of which is indicated by the appended claims.

What I claim as my invention is:

l. A rotary perfora-tor, comprising a hollow, cylindrical, rotatable, punch carrier having a" plurality of radial Openings therein, a magnetic punch positioned within each of said openings for guided movement radially of the punch carrier between limiting positions in accordance with a magnetic polarity induced therein, a punch setting assembly within said punch carrier, including an electnonragnet operable to induce a magnetic polarity in said punches, a permanent magnet for positioning said punches in accordance with the polarity of said punches, and a punch guide operable to hold the punches in the radially inner or outer limiting positions as the punches are rotated thereby, positioned in order around the periphery of the punch setting assembly whereby the punches sequentially pass the electromagnet, the permanent magnet and the punch guide on rotation of the punch carrier, said permanent magnet having an outer surface gradually receding radially inwardly from the outer radial limiting position of the radially inner surface of the punches to the inner radial limiting position thereof between the edge of the permanent magnet adjacent the electromagnet and the punch guide, and a rotatable die having portions therein for receiving the ends of said punches positioned in side by side relation With said punch carrier cooperating with said punch carrier to perforate material passed therebetween.

2. A rotary perforator, comprising a hollow, cylindrical, rotatable, punch carrier having a plurality of radial openings therein, a magnetic punch positioned within each of said openings for guided movement radially of the punch carrier between limiting positions in accordance with a magnetic polarity induced therein, a punch setting assembly within said punch carrier, including an electromagnet operable to induce a magnetic polarity in said punches, a permanent magnet for positioning said punches in accordance with the polarity of said punches, and a punch guide operable to hold the punches in the radially inner or outer limiting positions as the punches are rotated thereby, positioned in order around the periphery of the punch setting assembly whereby the punches sequentially pass the electromagnet, the permanent magnet and the punch guide on rotation of the punch carrier, said permanent magnet having an outer surface gradually receding radially inwardly from the outer radial limiting position of the radially inner surface of the punches to the inner radial limiting position thereof between the edge of the permanent magnet adjacent the electromagnet and the punch guide, said punch setting assembly also including a cam surface for camrning the punches into their radially outer position located between the punch guide and electromagnet, and a rotatable die having portions therein for receiving the ends of said punches positioned in side by side relation with said punch carrier cooperating with said punch carrier to perforate material passed therebetween.

3. In a device for punching tape in accordance with code signals transmitted to said device, a rotary punch carrier, a plurality of radially extending punches spaced angularly about said carrier and being radially variably positionable in accordance with a magnetic polarity induced therein, a plurality of electromagnets positioned in close proximity to said punch carrier for'receiving code signals and producing first magnetic fields in accordance with said signals to induce a predetermined polarity in said punches, a rotary die member located in close proximity to said punch carrier and adapted to rotate in timed relation to said carrier and to the tape to be punched as the tape is passed between said carrier and said die member, magnetic means disposed within said carrier for maintaining a constant second magnetic field of a predetermined polarity and having a surface the position of which varies radially with respect to the punch carrier from the outer position of the radially inner surface of the punches t0 the inner position thereof, said magnetic means serving to position said punches radially within said carrier in accordance with said magnetic fields pro duced by said code signals and guide means for maintaining said punches in the position determined by said magnetic means 'as said'ppnches are brought into juxtaposition with said rotary die member.

4. In a device for punching tape in accordance with code signals transmitted to said device, a rotary punch carrier, a plurality of radially extending punches spaced angularly about said carrier and being radially variably positionable in accordance with a magnetic polarity induced therein, a plurality of electromagnets positioned in close proximity to said punch carrier for receiving code signals and producing first magnetic fields in accordance with said signals to induce a predetermined polarity in said punches, a rotary die member located in close proximity to said punch carrier and adapted to rotate in timed relation to said carrier and to the tape to be punched as the tape is passed between said carrier and said die member, magnetic means disposed within said carrier for maintaining a constant second magnetic field of a predetermined polarity and having a surface the position of which varies radially with respect to the punch carrier from the outer position of the radially inner surface of the punches to the inner position thereof, said magnetic means serving to position said punches radially within said carrier in accordance with said magnetic fields produced by said code signals, guide means for maintaining said punches in the position determined by said magnetic means as said punches are brought into juxtaposition With said rotary die member, and a cam surface between the guide means and the electromagnets whereby the punches are cammed into the radially outer position thereof as the punch carrier rotates.

5. In a device for punching tape in accordance with code signals transmitted to said device, a rotary punch carrier, a plurality of radially extending punche spaced angularly about said carrier and being radially variably positionable in accordance with a magnetic polarity induced therein, an electromagnet positioned in close proximity to said punch carrier for receiving code signals and producing first magnetic fields in accordance with said signals to induce a predetermined polarity in said punches, magnetic means disposed adjacent said punch carrier for maintaining a constant second magnetic field of a predetermined polarity and having a surface the position of which varies radially with respect to the punch carrier from the outer position of the radially inner surface of the punches to the inner position thereof, said magnetic means serving to position said punches radially within said punch carrier in accordance with said magnetic fields produced by said code signals and guide means adjacent said punch carrier for maintaining said punches in the position determined by said magnetic means during a portion of each rotation of the punch carrier.

6. Structure as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rotary punch carrier is hollow and the electromagnet, magnetic means and guide means are positioned Within the punch carrier in a fixed position.

7. A rotary perforator, comprising a cylindrical punch carrier having a plurality of radial openings therein, a punch positioned Within each of said openings for guided movement radially of the punch carrier, means positioned adjacent said punch carrier for imparting a magnetic polarity to each of said punches and means eccentric with respect to and located adjacent the punch carrier for positioning said punches radially of the punch carrier in accordance with the polarity thereof on relative rotational movement between the punch carrier and means eccentric with respect thereto.

8. Structure as claimed in claim 7 wherein the means for imparting a magnetic polarity to each of the punches comprises electromagnets positioned adjacent the radially inner and outer surfaces of the punch carrier opposite each other and a surface within the punch carrier adjacent to the radially inner surface of the punch carrier and eccentric with respect thereto for camming the punches into their radially outer position on rotation of the punch carrier.

9. A rotary perforator, comprising a cylindrical punch carrier having a plurality of radial openings therein, a punch positioned within each of said openings for guided movement radially of the punch carrier, means positioned adjacent said punch carrier for imparting a magnetic polarity to each of said punches and a permanent magnet located Within the punch carrier having a radially outer surface positioned adjacent the radially inner surface of the punch carrier which varies in radial position with respect to said radially inner surface eangularly thereof for positioning said punches radially of the punch carrier in accordance with the polarity thereof on relative rotational movement between the punch carrier and permanent magnet.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Stram Sept. 4, 1956 McGregor Oct. 18, 1960 

7. A ROTARY PERFORATOR, COMPRISING A CYLINDRICAL PUNCH CARRIER HAVING A PLURALITY OF RADIAL OPENINGS THEREIN, A PUNCH POSITIONED WITHIN EACH OF SAID OPENING FOR GUIDED MOVEMENT RADIALLY OF THE PUNCH CARRIER, MEANS POSITIONED ADJACENT SAID PUNCH CARRIER FOR IMPARTING A MAGNETIC POLARITY TO EACH OF SAID PUNCHES AND MEANS ECCENTRIC WITH RESPECT TO AND LOCATED ADJACENT THE PUNCH CARRIER FOR POSITIONING SAID PUNCHES RADIALLY OF THE PUNCH CARRIER IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE POLARITY THEREOF ON RELATIVE ROTATIONAL MOVEMENT BETWEEN THE PUNCH CARRIER AND MEANS ECCENTRIC WITH RESPECT THERETO. 